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The BMW
WilliamsF1 Team confirmed today that Antonio Pizzonia will race for the team
at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, in place of
Nick Heidfeld.
Antonio Pizzonia, the team's long-term test driver, stepped into Heidfeld's
shoes last weekend in Monza, after he was declared unfit after Friday
practice at the Italian Grand Prix following a testing accident on August
26.
Given the intense schedule of back-to-back races, the team have decided to
allow Nick sufficient time to fully recuperate. In addition, the team will
avoid the need to make fitness assessments and driver nominations on the
Friday of the Belgian Grand Prix, which would otherwise handicap the team by
requiring Antonio Pizzonia to run first in the Belgian qualifying session.
In relation to this decision, Frank Williams said, "Our first priority is
prudence in relation to Nick's condition. Although the broad view is that he
may well be ready to race by Friday, the back-to-back calendar at this time
does not allow the luxury of more time to reach this conclusion, so it is
best both for Nick, and indeed the team if we make a clear and early
decision that Antonio will race this weekend. In addition to allowing Nick
more time to recover, we can nominate Antonio now and he can benefit on
Saturday in Belgium with a good starting position for qualifying from the
strong seventh place finish he secured in Monza."
Editor's Notes
Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, who will be 25 years old this Sunday, has raced
for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team on five occasions and has scored 8 points for
the team, including two points last weekend when he finished seventh after
starting the Italian Grand Prix from 16th position. |
